(Mom has decided that it’s about time to tell my younger brother, now seven, the truth about Santa Claus. So one day she sits him down and asks him a question to feel out how best to start this conversation.)

Mom: “[Brother]… you believe in Santa Claus, right?”

Brother: “Uh…”

Mom: “You can tell me the truth, okay?”

Brother:*sheepishly* “I’ve known you and Dad are really Santa for a couple years now, but I didn’t say anything so I could keep getting presents.”